Nyla Moore is on a mission.
All month long, the Town of Tonawanda third grader has been collecting hats, gloves, scarves and coats.
Her goal is to help those who are often left out in the cold feel warmth this winter.
She calls it the "Warm Hugs for the Homeless" campaign.
"Since there's more people in the world that need more things,” she said. “Well, the homeless are more important because they don't really have that many things," Nyla said.
The little girl with a big heart found inspiration to give even though she's dealt with great loss in her short life.
"I was in a sad mood because I was thinking of my mom, and then it just popped into my head," Nyla said.
Lisa DiSabio is Nyla's grandmother. She's been raising Nyla and her old brother Michael since their mom, her daughter Kayla Humphries, died five years ago.
"I heard her crying and I went back in her room after I tucked her in,” DiSabio said. “She said she was talking to God and her mom. And she felt like she had to do something for the homeless.
A kind and generous heart is something Nyla inherited from her mom, DiSabio said.
"Kayla would be so proud of Nyla. She would, as I am,” she said. “I was so proud of Kayla and who she was. And I thought to myself, I'm raising another Kayla in life."
Motivated by Kayla's history of volunteer work, Nyla and Lisa sought out someone willing to take on their cause. They've partnered with the Salvation Army and Paula's Donuts, where people have been dropping off winter weather gear in droves this month.
"When you see an eight-year-old girl have a vision like this and follow it through, and then when you see the support that the community gives in providing these items and asking how else they can help it's very inspiring," said Laurie Krajna of the Salvation Army.
Since the campaign started on Nov. 1, they've already collected six or eight barrels full of hats, gloves and jackets from all three Paula's Donuts locations in the area. They're expecting more before the campaign is over Nov. 30. Anyone who wants to donate can bring new outdoor winter clothing items to any of the Paula's stores in Tonawanda, Clarence or West Seneca.
Nyla herself plans to hand them out at the homeless street feed program on December 10.
"I think it will make me feel like I'm a better person and it makes me feel like I probably should keep on doing that and then see how many people I can help and make them happy and smile," Nyla said.
One thing of which they’re certain: all of this would bring a smile to the face of Nyla's mom as her daughter carries on her legacy of generosity.
"I think that connection that she feels doing this with Kayla is really strong,” DiSabio said. “That's a mother and daughter bond.”
"I think she would be proud and jumping up and down because I'm trying to honor her and help the homeless," Nyla said of her mother. "I think her heartbeat might be bumping really fast because she's so proud."